Get the Latest
Subscribe to our RSS feed or enter your email address below to get the feed delivered to you by email:
New! Follow Gizmo on Twitter
Security Wizard
Hot! Get our free security suggestions customized to your needs. Get started
Navigation
User login
| New: | Help keep this site independent with few ads by buying a Gizmo Cap or T-shirt or by Donating |
| Hot: | Get free personalized security suggestions from Gizmo's Security Wizard |
| Help: | Know your freeware? Then suggest a hot product or become a reviewer or moderator for Gizmos |
Best Free Registry Cleaner
|
In a Hurry?
|
 Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide |
|
Introduction
|
|
The registry is what keeps your computer running; it tells the computer what to do when certain events happen. However, as you use your computer, a lot of unwanted and unnecessary information is written into the registry, and this usually occurs because you've installed and uninstalled programs or updated versions of existing programs. This gradual accumulation of unneeded or incorrect information will, over time, slow the speed of your computer. A registry cleaner tries to get rid of this unwanted data and restore your PC to full speed. The problem is that the cleaning process is less than perfect. In particular, there is always a small risk that the registry cleaner may incorrectly remove data that is actually needed. In the worst case scenario, your PC may become unusable as a result. That's why it's absolutely essential that you backup your registry before using a registry cleaner. For most users the easiest way to do this is to create a system checkpoint. An even better way is to use a drive-imaging program to create a snapshot of Windows, which you can use for system recovery if needed. As an added layer of protection, that may actually be more effective than System Restore, consider using the excellent ERUNT utility. This ever-present risk of problems is why the "best" registry cleaner is the one that causes the fewest problems, rather than the one that finds the greatest number of registry errors. Thus it is evident, a registry cleaner is - if at all - a tool reserved for the experienced user. The inexperienced may be assured that since the introduction of Windows XP, registry cleaning is no longer a crucial issue for the stability, security and performance of your system. Don't mess around with it!
|
|
Discussion
|
|
|
|
Related Products and Links
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
5.53 
Unrestricted Freeware 
XP-Windows7
- Article type:
Comments
Any recommendation for Little Registry Cleaner?
I've had a look at "Little Registry Cleaner".
The test PC was quite clean at the time, so it only picked up a few empty keys. Most (if not all) would have been recreated at the next reboot if removed.
I'll be loading another image in the not too distant future (one that contains a number of leftovers etc)and will then compare it to WRC Free.
LRC is open source, for this reason it deserves a mention IMO(subject to testing)!
Wise Registry Cleaner version 5.53 has now been released
Many thanks.
new version of Auslogics Registry Cleaner available - (2.0.4.40).
http://www.auslogics.com/en/checkforupdate/?product=registry-cleaner&version=2.0.3.30
When using the Internet, sometimes my laptop (Fujitsu/Siemes Amilo Pi 2540)freezes and the following error message shows up on a blue screen:
Hardware Malfunction
Call Your Hardware Vendor for Support
NMI Parity Check / Memory Parity Error
The System Is Halted
I run a system diagnostics using different softwares but everything seems to be ok.
What kind of problem could it be? Do you think the Wise Registry Cleaner Free can help me, or you have better software to recommend me?
Download this ISO, burn it to a disk and then boot with it to run the test.
http://www.memtest.org/
I had a problem recently where no AV would install (or an existing one update) and some other programs refused to launch. Also freezing during surfing. Turned out one of my two memory cards had developed a fault. With a laptop it might not be possible to replace the memory yourself, but it will at least tell you if the fault is there.
The error indicates that one of the memory modules, that is, the RAM is defective. You will have to replace it. I will suggest that you take it to a repair shop where some qualified personnel can look at it, and replace the faulty module.
I'm having loads of errors to the point of my system not being able to open any files except through steam, I just want a basic fix, not performance enhancement, anyone have any recommendations/know if wise is what I need?
I have been using many differen't programs throughout the last 7 years.
Your problem could be that your Hard-drive is Failing, or a simple thing like a bad virus. This registry cleaner is not the answer to your problem.
If your Hard-drive is failing you'll here that it makes a weird noise, such as a "clunk", or a "ding", anything from the normal "spinning" sound can point towards a hard drive failure.
Lets hope that its just a virus. I would recommend downloading the programs that i have listed below.
Microsoft Security Essentials (Anti-Virus, The best, Free)
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (Very good On-Demand Malware Scanner, Free)
Download Links:
MSE--> http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
MBAM--> http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
I really hope this helps
-Joeqaz741
A Reg cleaner (Wise for example) may help with some/all of your problems, but nothing is ever guarenteed!
Have you performed the usual system maintainance tasks (temp file cleaning, defrag etc) ?
Are all your files backed up? If the answer is "Yes" and you have the means to reinstall your OS, it could be worth a try (Reg cleaning can make matters worse tho!)
Malware can also cause the types of problem you describe.
Wise Registry Cleaner version 5.51 has now been released
Thanks, I'm also going to change the picture for one with the new UI.
I see that "Clean with 1 click" is now optional (a step in the right direction IMO!)
One of the best...
http://www.vitsoft.org.ua/Eng/vit-registry-fix-free.htm
Is Easy Cleaner too old, and should I replace it. Win XP
Old enough to ditch it.
Be very careful with registry cleaners/defrag.Its not necessary to use them at all.
Re WizWaz's 07/04/10 comment:
OS: Windows XP Pro for many years; currently maintain 4-5 computers running XP Pro.
It is true that it is not necessary on a frequent basis. Most people I know do not do it at all themselves.
If you feel you must do it: back up your system and make a copy of the registry.
The PCs that I maintain do run better after a "tune-up."
It is not a job for a novice; better to pay someone or ask a knowledgeable friend.
Vit Registry Fix is the best
Why?
Its thorough and safe and never caused any problems. Actually I think now it has annoying nag window. But I bought the pro version that cost couple of quid for lifetime.
Well I'm pleased you are happy with your purchase although the information given about being thorough and safe tells us nothing about what this software actually does. You could apply this statement just as easily to a whole bunch of similar programs which don't force you to "upgrade" to get extra features.
I just giving you my opinion based on past experience with other reg cleaners. I have tried Regseeker, Comodo, Wise, Eusing, Powertools Lite, jv16, Easycleaner, Argente, CM Diskcleaner. Most of these have caused problems. Vit has caused none.
Thank you for responding. What I was trying to find out is some exact details so that other people visiting this page can make an objective comparison. Saying that some programs caused problems but another didn't means little unless we know what the problems were and what actions were taken with the program to cause them.
During my time servicing paying customers, none of them were advised to ever use a registry cleaner, and none of those who took this advice ever complained that their computer was slow because of it. Of those who chose to believe what they read at various sites on the internet, all had issues after using a registry cleaner some of which required a re-install of Windows. The biggest cause of this was RegSeeker although the earlier versions of Comodo were not far behind. Advanced System Care when it first changed from Advanced Windows Care was also capable of making your system unusable. The only two which I have found usable with relative safety for folks who don't understand why they need to but can't resist pushing buttons are CCleaner and EasyCleaner. As EasyCleaner hasn't been updated for years, CCleaner would be my preferred choice.
Being the vital component of Windows, Microsoft produce good information about the registry and I would urge anyone contemplating using one of these tools to read it.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986
There's another good one here:
http://www.tech-pro.net/intro_reg.html
If after reading this the contents means very little, I would still advise against using any of these tools.
Re MidnightCowboy 7/14/10, 3:14 post
OS: XP PRO; Maintaining my own and others computers since DOS era.
Have also used at one time or another most of those you discussed. CCleaner is the only one of them that I continue to use.
Good helpful post, thanks.
[Moderator's Note : Reference to commercial product removed. Please keep the discussion to freeware only.]
I agree; be very careful. I do use registry cleaners. I also use CCleaner, just do not use its registry cleaner; it seems too aggressive to me.
My computer does run faster by using the cleaners. I do a lot of installing and uninstalling of software.
Revo Uninstaller, free, has helped me a lot. Perhaps it would be good for newer computer users.
for the most thorough reg cleaning use both Mv Regclean and argente registry cleaner they both look for different things. Mv Regclean mostly empty exe. extension's and Argente the rest.
I have been using them both for years with no problems.
I can't recommend these for beginners but the do work the best especially together.
Keith
I have changed from the argente to auslogic after it found over 500 problems and im still keeping mv reglean it still found a bunch of junk after auslogic.
Keith
It is Not 'How Many' errors, but 'What kind of Errors'!
It is NOT Quantity; it is Quality when it comes to Registry Errors!
Many Naive/Inexperienced Users think that
'the More Errors they find, the Better Registry Cleaners they are'.
All Crap/Risk-Ware Registry Cleaners will find Hundreds of additional Errors when Reputable Registry Cleaners will find just some Dozens.
What happens at the End?
Crap/Risk-Ware Registry Cleaners Wreck Systems and lead users to Format
their PCs!
So True
Keith
Thank You
Regseeker is exceptional, but I am still seeking something to TRULY get OLD program references, even those encoded in registry. They slowly clog up the registry and I am always trying out softwares for reviews for cnet.
Still find nothing to get all the old references of programs long gone.
Thanks for your great site :)
RegSeeker is OUTDATED!
Developers will Never Update it!
It's history! Gone!
As a Registry Finder, RegSeeker was great.
As a Registry Cleaner, RegSeeker caused many problems even when users
deleted Only the Green (=Safe) entries!
This is very true. It's been some time now since I was servicing computers but when I was this one program was responsible for more OS re-installs than any other. The same applies to a lesser extent to other so called registry "cleaners" which in the hands of anyone without an in depth knowledge of Windows can render your system unusable.
In your introduction to this section you state "...since the introduction of Windows XP, registry cleaning is no longer a crucial issue..."
For those of us who just nibble around the edges in an effort to keep our machines healthy, would you elaborate on this statement just a little bit?
I know that when I uninstall a program that there are sometimes remnant entries from that particular program left in the registry, but if these are not of substantial concern, then I can move on to other topics.
Many Thanks,
Bob
Hey buddy, take a look here:
http://www.winvistaclub.com/f23.html
Not much help for those still running XP.
Mr. Editor,
Please, Test:
-Auslogics Registry Cleaner-
and
-TweakNow RegCleaner Free-
Maybe, these are good enough to be included in your List...
Maybe...
I've tested Auslogics Registry Cleaner, and will be including it in the recommendations.
Mileage does vary to a great extent with these applications, so I would like to end up with a choice of 5, which should make it possible for people to find one that suits them.
I agree that messing with the registry can do more harm than good.
But we do have to accept thaat if you do a lot of installing and uninstalling of programs, a lot of junk accumulates over time.
I have found that the best thing for me and my laptop is to use a mild registry cleaner - and for this I have used Glary ans ccleaner.
Glary tells you what it wants removed and why - items that no longer have any file associations, likewise ccleaner.
I steer clear of the more agressive, "deep" cleaners. As mentioned above, they can mess up your system.
With Glary and CC, you have the psychological satisfaction of having cleaned out junk from deleted programs and the safety inherent in not using the more questionable, aggressive cleaners.
In short, the best of both worlds - that of the wary and that of the junk-hater!
All the best,
Poster
If your main concern is leftovers from uninstalling, perhaps the free version of Revo Uninstaller would be of interest......
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html
EasyCleaner and Eusing are Still your Best Freeware?
-Isn't it time to Review the Following Freeware?
a) Registry Life - http://www.chemtable.com/RegistryLife.htm
b) Vit Registry Fix Free Edition - http://vitsoft.org.ua/
c) PowerTools Lite - http://www.macecraft.com/ptlite/
So these recomendations are new (1 month) and current?
I have EasyCleaner (several years now) on XP. The one-click option always seemed to work and never caused problems. Just to confirm, is it not current, and should it be set aside for something else?
I'm testing some other Registry cleaners at the moment, so that the category can be updated.
Thanks for your recommendations, I'll add them to the list.
Is there any specific Date you are going to announce your Testing Results?
Yep, the day that it's finished :)
Waiting for your Review!
May the Really Best win!
Oh no! Why did the editor of this site say Wise Registry Cleaner is the best! See here: http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/top-freeware-picks-category-editors.htm Isn't it the worst?
Wise Registry Cleaner likes a weapon, for people who have experienced it's a very powerful and easy to use tool, it may not be good for the novice to use.(because it's too difficult to use for novice :) )
I think the same could be said for any Registry cleaner!
However, Wise does have a very simple "Clean with one click" option (as do many others). I wouldn't recommend this easy option though. Not with Wise, not with anything!
People should take precautions, and learn about the registry before removing any data.
My own experience of WRC is that it's far from being the worst.
I do however, steer well clear of the "Clean with one click" option. I also leave it in the default settings, and check through the results before anything is removed.
I also recommend that a full image backup is created, before any changes are made to the Registry!
I've only had to restore once after useing WRC, and that was due to a problem with the Registry defrag feature, not the Reg cleaner as such.
The bug was reported, and within a week, there was an update that fixed the issue.
Any Registry cleaner can cause more problems than it solves. When this happens, it becomes the worst piece of **** there is, until that is, the next one!
The bottom line is this. Anyone who doesn't back their system up on a regular basis, should leave the Registry alone!
* There are categories for Free Backup Software on this site *
See here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-backup-program
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm
New version of Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
Thanks, I'll check it out.
Can you please test Comodo System-Cleaner:
http://system-cleaner.comodo.com/
I know a few people, myself included, who use it and I was wondering how it stacks up against the competition.
A quote from the website:
"The unique 'Registry Protection' and 'Safe Delete' features will automatically recover any files deleted in error and restore your system to it's previous state should any problems occur."
Is this statement true? Essentially what I'm asking is whether Comodo System-Cleaner is any more dangerous then the others.
I tested the Comodo app a few weeks ago and found that it had a negative impact, performance wise, on the test machine.
As with all applications of this type, "one mans meat is another mans poison" so it could well have the desired effect on a different setup.
In answer to your question though... All registry cleaners have the potential to cause a great deal of harm to the system, and should be used with caution.
Most cleaners nowadays have a restore function, and it's pretty much useless if vital data has been removed resulting in an unbootable PC.
The only way to be sure that the system can be repaired if disaster strikes, is to create a full image backup of the system.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm
The best registry cleaner - back up your data files and reinstall the OS!!
Is it quick and easy? No way! But using these registry cleaners can, sometimes, cause as much damage as getting a virus. These cleaners can remove registry entries that are needed for programs and/or the operating system.
In over 30 years of working with computers I haven't found a registry cleaner that is totally safe. Some are better than others but none are foolproof. One of the better programs that I have come across is CCLEANER. (No,I have nothing to do with the program.) But even that program has caused problems on some computers I've had to repair.
Again, back up your data and reinstall the OS and your apps. That's the best way to get your computer running like new again.
If you're going down the road of regular reinstalls, you might as well try a reg cleaner 1st.
Nothing to lose, and you may find that a reinstall isn't needed.
IF you're having a real issue then a registry "cleaner" will likely make it worse. May as well know you're doing the right thing and reinstall the OS and the apps.
That is a good suggestion if you have nothing else to do.
Roy
If it is not broke why try to fix it. In my opinion reg cleaners can cause problems that were not problems to start off with. I would only use as last resort. A few years back would use all the top rated reg cleaners including top rated commercial products these never fixed problems just added more problems to my pc. The most recent few years do not go anywhere near reg cleaners and guess what my pc working more reliable for much longer periods.
Cleaning the registry my not be needed on XP on but I used Auslogics on my Vista and now my Avast AV scans in have the time it did.Just wondering if others have had the same experience.
So, what are some of the best FREE accounts? I'm on disability and can't afford the fees that all these companies want for their FEE cleaners. I'm also NOT a computer geek.
I did try one free one but all it did was to get rid of 2 badies...whatever they were.
And, I'm simply tired of using $1,700.00 computers as door stops and paper weights after 'fixing' them.
In my opinion, the periodic cleaning of the Registry is no bad thing. But, and it's a big BUT!
You should never do so without the means to return the system to how it was before cleaning!
Backing up the Registry is sometimes a waste of time if a Registry cleaner has rendered the PC unbootable.
Therefore, I would always recommend that the whole drive is imaged before cleaning!
See here for more info.....
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm
Once you've got yourself covered in case of disaster, you can now have a look at the Registry.
I've only just taken over as editor of this category, so things are a little out of date here.
My personal recommendation for a Registry cleaner is the following...
Wise Registry Cleaner.
http://wisecleaner.com/
IMPORTANT!
Read all the documentation and leave the settings as default!
i installed registry helper and began to suspect it was dodgy and then i couldnt delete it because i didnt have permission despite being administrator. so looked here for advice on what is best to use if anything.
i am more of an evolutionary psycologist than pc expert and i think the microsoft chap is advising against using registry cleaners so peoples pcs slowly die and then they have to buy a new one with new ms software, which i swhat happened to me last time. but this time i am intent on finding a solution to maintanining my machine for a long life.
CCleaner is an excellent and somewhat safe option. It has a registry cleaner component and backs up so that you can restore its deletions if any unexpected effects follow. Plus it's probably more important to use its file cleaning functions anyways.
This is how I take care of my computer, slight differences to other post:
1. Advanced System Care 3. I agree to not use the registry defrag- it does not work! (It keeps telling me that it does not need to be complacted).
2. Smart Defrag- it actually does arrange the files used most. They both do the same thing. I just prefer it to Auslogics Disk Defrag. (Don't know why, just always feel my computer is faster after Smart Defrag Deep Optimize)
3. Vit Registry Fix- Using it instead of ccleaner and glary utilies, for registry back up and defrag also.(Ran NTregOpt and it reported 6% fragmentation, I cancelled defrag, then used Vit Defrag and it too reported 6% fragmentation and let it defrag. Then after reboot analysed registry again with NTregOpt and it reported no fragmentation. So that proves that Vit Registry Defrag actually works! So I have kept Vit Registry Fix).
4. Secunia free scan for security programs updates.
5. SUMo update monitor- it detects more software than filehippos update checker.
6. Microsoft Security Essentials- it doesn't slow down my computer as much as AVG, also has a higher detection rate and very few false positives.
7. Malwarebytes and SuperAntispware (the top 2 anti-malware -both good to have, what one misses, other catches)
8. Autoruns- I agree it is very good to have.
9. Driver Max- for updating drivers!
i take care of 12 computers XP, Vista and 7, and here is the combo i use:
as of March 15 2010
1. CCleaner for cleaning registry and junk files, never once a problem!
2. Advanced System Care only for junk files, 'registry fix and privacy sweep only! do NOT use ASC registry defrag! tried it 2 times and both times had to
use system restore to fix.
3. Glary Utilities for their registry defrag. do NOT use their registry
cleaner...tried is 3x and had to use system restore.
4. Auslogics Disk Defrag. seems i can go much longer before i have to defrag. new algorithms optimizes the files used most.
5. AVG - never once a problem. always catches viruses.
6. Malwarebytes and SuperAntispware.
7. Autoruns - un-check unnecessary programs at start up and check the 'boot execute' tab once a week to make sure no suspicious programs run/exe at boot up.
8. Run monthly www.secunia.com free scan for security programs updates!
9. Run File Hippos www.filehippo.com 'update checker monthly.
happy puting! :-)
I just wonder what these registry cleaners consider a "problem". I installed and ran Eusing Free and it found/cleaned 229 problems. I then installed and ran Auslogic Registry Cleaner and it found another 10 errors. From this it is obvious to me there is no perfect program in this category (or in any category, for that matter). This is not a knock on either of these programs. Both are fast and seem to do a thorough job, and both have the option of registry backup before they do their thing.
The incremental benefit of running them is negligible
compared with the great risk of wrecking your system.
Especially if you are running Windows Vista or Seven,
Registry Virtualization has eliminated the need for Registry Cleaners:
"In Windows Vista, the Registry has been Virtualized,
and hence unlike XP, does not tend to suffer from bloat.
The same has been continued in Windows 7.
Virtualization basically means that, applications are prevented from writing to System Folders in Vista or Windows 7's file system and ALSO to the 'machine wide keys' in the registry."
Source: http://www.winvistaclub.com/f23.html
Easy Cleaner and Eusing are still the top free registry cleaners? Has this review been updated? What about Auslogics registry cleaner? Is it not as good? It's an Auslogics product, you can trust it! Why doesn't it get a mention?
Post new comment